The Van-Port Thunderbirds resurrected the "T-Bird" moniker last used in 1966 by the Portland Thunderbirds.  Equipment purchased from Mt. Hood Community College when it disbanded its football program helped form the backbone of the venture.

After back-to-back seasons ended by the Pierce County Bengals, what was intended to be a league expansion team placed in Oregon City for the 1981 season, ended up being the death nail of the franchise as the Steelheads stripped the talent away from the Thunderbirds leaving a shell that was shut down in July of '81.  The majority of the team became Steelheads with the Johns brothers (Kim and Joe) providing the team management, while others went with former original Portland T-Birds co-owner Bob Cole to the newly formed Washington County Grizzlies.  The Steelheads would claim the 1983 Northwest title after making the championship game against cross-river and heated rival Washington County in 1982.

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