Changos de Naranjito

Changos de Naranjito
Full name	Changos de Naranjito
Founded	1958
Ground	Coliseum Gelito Ortega, ; Naranjito, Puerto Rico
Chairman	Alexis Aponte
League	LVSM
Website	[1][permanent dead link‍]
Uniforms
Home	Away

The Changos de Naranjito are a professional volleyball team based in Naranjito, Puerto Rico. The team is the most successful franchise in any sport in Puerto Rican sports history.

Known for their large fan base and record 24 national men's volleyball championships, the Changos de Naranjito are the winningest sports franchise in Puerto Rico. Their main rival is the Plataneros de Corozal. This rivalry has been labeled as "El Duelo de la Montana", because of their historical battles throughout the years and geographical proximity. They held a battle for the ages in the 2004 LVSM men's volleyball finals with the Changos defeating Corozal in a 7th game held at the Ruben Rodriguez Coliseum in Bayamón, Puerto Rico.

The team colors are: orange, white and black.

Chairman / Owner is Alexis Aponte^[1]

Club history

The history of volleyball in Naranjito goes back to 1915.

In 1911, Reverend Howard T. Jason arrived in Naranjito to preach for the Presbyterian Church, finding resistance in this devoutly Catholic town. In 1915, two North American professors known as Mr. Esbaugh and Mr. Foster arrived in town and brought volleyball to Naranjito, attracting the town's youth. Reverend Jason took the opportunity to approach and share with the town's youth as well, helping the professors teach the game's rules, subsequently making friendships.

Reverend Jason remained in Naranjito until 1920, during which time he moved to the neighboring town of Corozal. Having now a good knowledge of the sport, he utilized the same technique of teaching the sport to young kids in order to get acceptance in town. Whenever he had the chance, Rev. Jason would create tournaments between teams both in Naranjito and in Corozal, which fueled a rivalry between both towns that lives to this day.

In 1938, Naranjito finally had a professional volleyball team, joining the North and South association as a professional team in 1940. Naranjito won five championships during this period.

In 1958, Naranjito joined the Puerto Rican Volleyball Federation.

Club Record

Since 2004, Los Changos have the Guinness World Record in volleyball for the Most Championships in the world with 24 between 1958 and 2021.

Club Results

The record of the Changos include in 48 seasons: 23 Championships, 10 Runners-up, 43 Semi finals, 6 consecutive championships 1988-1993, 5 consecutive championships 1995-1998, 2003–2007, 13 consecutive finals 1995-2007. In the last 24 seasons (1984–2007) the team reached 23 finals, won 18 championships and finished runners-up 5 times.

Championships

1958, 1959, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2021

Runner-up

1960, 1968, 1971, 1978, 1979, 1984, 1987, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2023,

Semi Final's

1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972,1974 1975, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2018

Individual awards

LVSM Most Valuable Player

Ángel “Chomo” Rivera – 2021
Luis "Feñito" Rodríguez – 1999
Enrique "Papolito" López – 1991, 1993
Hiram Padilla – 1992
José L. Díaz – 1990
Joey Rivera – 1985, 1986

LVSM Rookie of the Year

Víctor "Vitito" Rivera – 1994
Omar Rivera – 2007

LVSM Best Setter

LVSM Best Blocker

Hiram Padilla – 1991, 1989
Willie de Jesús – 1990, 1994
Victor Ruiz – 2010

LVSM Defensive Player of the Year

Edwin Fernandez – 1986, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991

LVSM Final Most Valuable Player

Jackson Rivera - 2021
Steve Klosterman - 2007
Víctor "Vitito" Rivera – 1997, 2001, 2003, 2006
Ángel Pérez – 2005
Víctor "Chiqui" Bird – 2004
José L. Díaz – 1998

Executive of the Year

Ángel L. Colón – 2005

Coliseum

The team always plays their home games at the Gelito Ortega Coliseum,^[2] “ El Nido” in Naranjito, which is located about 40 minutes from the Capital San Juan. The Coliseum has a capacity for 3,000 spectators.

Staff

Alexis Aponte – Chairman / Owner
Jamille Torres – Head Coach
Dr. Anthony Meléndez – Assistant Coach
Gamaliel Santiago - Stadistics
Geovanny Marrero – Physical Therapist
Dr. Anthony Meléndez – Trainer

2012-2013 TEAM

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
1	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Victor Ruiz
2	{{{pos}}}	CAN	Spencer Leiske
3	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Edwin Santiago
12	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Juan C. "Agujita" Rivera
19	{{{pos}}}	CUB	Jorge Mencias
6	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Carlos Morales
4	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Juan Carlos Rodriguez
7	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Sequiel Sanchez


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
10	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Jose Velez
15	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Eliezer Oyola
9	{{{pos}}}	CUB	Yunieski Ramirez
11	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Arnel Cabrera
8	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Luis Candelario
5	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Milton Marrero
16	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Noah Marrero
—	{{{pos}}}	PUR

2010-2011 TEAM

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
1	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Sequiel Sanchez
2	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Noah Marrero
3	{{{pos}}}	USA	Mathew Propper
12	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Juan C. "Agujita" Rivera
5	{{{pos}}}	CUB	Jorge Mencias
6	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Rafael Negron
7	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Juan Carlos Rodriguez


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
11	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Jose Velez
13	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Víctor Ruiz
14	{{{pos}}}	USA	Matt Werle
15	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Rafael Melendez
18	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Omar Rivera
8	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Gustavo Girau
—	{{{pos}}}	PUR

2009-2010 TEAM

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
1	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Ángel Rivera
2	{{{pos}}}	PUR	David León
3	{{{pos}}}	USA	Andrew Hein
12	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Juan C. "Agujita" Rivera
5	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Joerel Morales
6	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Juanmi Ruiz
7	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Samuel Torres


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
11	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Eric Haddock
13	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Víctor Ruiz
14	{{{pos}}}	CRO	Mauro Miletic
15	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Ángel Ruiz
18	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Omar Rivera
—	{{{pos}}}	PUR
—	{{{pos}}}	PUR

2008 LVSM Division 1 season

This season was dedicated by the team for a local team-association "Los Batatas". Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
5	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Víctor "Chiqui" Bird
18	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Omar Rivera
13	{{{pos}}}	USA	Russell Holmes
12	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Juan C. "Agujita" Rivera
11	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Erick Haddock
15	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Jorge Alifonso
10	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Pablito Guzmán


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
7	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Milton Marrero
8	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Miguel "Cundo" Rodríguez
3	{{{pos}}}	USA	Tyler Hildebrand
16	{{{pos}}}	CUB	Sirianis Méndez
14	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Pedrito Rivera
2	{{{pos}}}	PUR	José Bujosa
17	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Ryan Underwood

2007 LVSM Division 1 season

This season was dedicated by the team for the Modesto Nieves Family. Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
2	{{{pos}}}	USA	Tyler Hildebrand
18	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Omar Rivera
14	{{{pos}}}	USA	Steve Klosterman: Final MVP
12	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Juan C. "Agujita" Rivera
11	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Erick Haddock
13	{{{pos}}}	USA	Robert Tarr
3	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Emanuel Batista


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
9	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Luis "Feñito" Rodríguez
7	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Dariel Rolón
16	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Orlando Ortega
6	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Eduardo Quiñones
10	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Javier Feliciano
8	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Jason Rodríguez
15	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Ryan Underwood

2006 LVSM Division 1 season

This season was dedicated by the team for the boxer Félix "Tito" Trinidad. Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
1	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Ángel Pérez
16	{{{pos}}}	CAN	Terrence Martin
9	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Luis "Feñito" Rodríguez
4	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Víctor "Vitito" Rivera: Final MVP
11	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Erick Haddock
8	{{{pos}}}	USA	Matthew Denmark
5	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Víctor "Chiqui" Bird
7	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Dariel Rolón


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
12	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Elvyn Martínez
2	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Joel A. Rivera
10	{{{pos}}}	PUR	José José Delgado
3	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Dennis Santiago
15	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Ryan Underwood
6	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Raymond Ocasio
—	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Félix Campos

2005 LVSM Division 1 season

This season was dedicated by the team in the memory of Roberto Walker Clemente. Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
1	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Ángel Pérez: Final MVP
16	{{{pos}}}	CAN	Terrence Martin
9	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Luis "Feñito" Rodríguez
4	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Víctor "Vitito" Rivera
3	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Ossie Antonetti
7	{{{pos}}}	CUB	Maikel Cardona
5	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Víctor "Chiqui" Bird


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
6	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Gregory Berrios
11	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Erick Haddock
12	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Elvyn Martínez
14	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Dariel Rolón
10	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Abdel Otero
2	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Héctor Lebrón

2004 LVSM Division 1 season

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
1	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Ángel Pérez
9	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Luis "Feñito" Rodríguez
4	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Víctor "Vitito" Rivera
3	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Ossie Antonetti
7	{{{pos}}}	CUB	Maikel Cardona
5	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Víctor "Chiqui" Bird: Final MVP
8	{{{pos}}}	USA	Matthew Denmark


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
6	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Gregory Berrios
11	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Erick Haddock
12	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Juan C. "Agujita" Rivera
2	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Esteban Rodríguez
10	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Abdel Otero
13	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Alexander Pérez

2003 LVSM Division 1 season

This season was dedicated by the team in the memory of Maralisa Colón Berríos. Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
1	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Ángel Pérez
9	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Luis "Feñito" Rodríguez
4	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Víctor "Vitito" Rivera: Final MVP
3	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Ossie Antonetti
7	{{{pos}}}	CAN	Jason Haldane
5	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Víctor "Chiqui" Bird
8	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Enrique "Papolito" López


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
6	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Gregory Berrios
11	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Erick Haddock
12	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Joel A. Rivera
2	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Willie de Jesús
—	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Jorgito Otero
10	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Abdel Otero
15	{{{pos}}}	PUR	Héctor “Tito” Núñez

Coaches

Name	Nat	Managerial Tenure
David Alemán		1998–2000
Hiram Padilla		2001–2002
Enrique Ruiz		2003–2004
David Alemán		2005–2007
José L. Díaz		2007–2008
Rigo Guilloty		2009–2009
Enrique López		2009–2011
Luis Enrique "Quique" Ruiz		2012
Jamille Torres		2017–Present

References

^ "PUERTO RICO HERALD: Men's Summer Volleyball League In Top Shape". www.puertorico-herald.org. Archived from the original on September 7, 2008. Retrieved August 16, 2008.
^ "Los Changos de Naranjito dieron el sí para jugar con cinco equipos". El Nuevo Dia (in Spanish). April 9, 2019.

External links

[2]^{[permanent dead link‍]} Official site]^{[permanent dead link‍]} (Spanish)
Facebook Official site
Twitter Official site
Facebook
MySpace
Puerto Rico League Official Site

[1] "PUERTO RICO HERALD: Men's Summer Volleyball League In Top Shape". www.puertorico-herald.org. Archived from the original on September 7, 2008. Retrieved August 16, 2008.

[2] "Los Changos de Naranjito dieron el sí para jugar con cinco equipos". El Nuevo Dia (in Spanish). April 9, 2019.

[1]

[2]