Changos de Naranjito

Changos de Naranjito

Full name	Changos de Naranjito
Founded	1958
Ground	, Naranjito, Puerto Rico
Chairman	Alexis Aponte
League	LVSM
Website	[permanent dead link] Club home page
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 23 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 2007 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 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,

Semi Final's[]

1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 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

In 1974 the league did not celebrate the tournament.

Individual awards[]

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
• – Head Coach
• – Assistant Coach
• '’Stadistics
• Félix Gordillo – Physical Therapist
• Félix – 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 3 {{{pos}}}  PUR Edwin Santiago 12 {{{pos}}}  PUR 19 {{{pos}}}  CUB 6 {{{pos}}}  PUR Carlos Morales 4 {{{pos}}}  PUR Juan Carlos Rodriguez 7 {{{pos}}}  PUR Sequiel Sanchez

No. Pos. Nation Player 10 {{{pos}}}  PUR 15 {{{pos}}}  PUR 9 {{{pos}}}  CUB Yunieski Ramirez 11 {{{pos}}}  PUR 8 {{{pos}}}  PUR 5 {{{pos}}}  PUR 16 {{{pos}}}  PUR — {{{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 3 {{{pos}}}  USA 12 {{{pos}}}  PUR 5 {{{pos}}}  CUB 6 {{{pos}}}  PUR 7 {{{pos}}}  PUR Juan Carlos Rodriguez

No. Pos. Nation Player 11 {{{pos}}}  PUR 13 {{{pos}}}  PUR 14 {{{pos}}}  USA 15 {{{pos}}}  PUR 18 {{{pos}}}  PUR 8 {{{pos}}}  PUR — {{{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 2 {{{pos}}}  PUR 3 {{{pos}}}  USA 12 {{{pos}}}  PUR 5 {{{pos}}}  PUR 6 {{{pos}}}  PUR 7 {{{pos}}}  PUR

No. Pos. Nation Player 11 {{{pos}}}  PUR 13 {{{pos}}}  PUR 14 {{{pos}}}  CRO 15 {{{pos}}}  PUR 18 {{{pos}}}  PUR — {{{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 13 {{{pos}}}  USA Russell Holmes 12 {{{pos}}}  PUR 11 {{{pos}}}  PUR 15 {{{pos}}}  PUR 10 {{{pos}}}  PUR

No. Pos. Nation Player 7 {{{pos}}}  PUR 8 {{{pos}}}  PUR 3 {{{pos}}}  USA 16 {{{pos}}}  CUB 14 {{{pos}}}  PUR 2 {{{pos}}}  PUR 17 {{{pos}}}  PUR

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 18 {{{pos}}}  PUR 14 {{{pos}}}  USA Steve Klosterman: Final MVP 12 {{{pos}}}  PUR 11 {{{pos}}}  PUR 13 {{{pos}}}  USA 3 {{{pos}}}  PUR

No. Pos. Nation Player 9 {{{pos}}}  PUR Luis "Feñito" Rodríguez 7 {{{pos}}}  PUR 16 {{{pos}}}  PUR 6 {{{pos}}}  PUR 10 {{{pos}}}  PUR 8 {{{pos}}}  PUR 15 {{{pos}}}  PUR

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 9 {{{pos}}}  PUR Luis "Feñito" Rodríguez 4 {{{pos}}}  PUR Víctor "Vitito" Rivera: Final MVP 11 {{{pos}}}  PUR 8 {{{pos}}}  USA 5 {{{pos}}}  PUR Víctor "Chiqui" Bird 7 {{{pos}}}  PUR

No. Pos. Nation Player 12 {{{pos}}}  PUR 2 {{{pos}}}  PUR 10 {{{pos}}}  PUR 3 {{{pos}}}  PUR 15 {{{pos}}}  PUR 6 {{{pos}}}  PUR — {{{pos}}}  PUR

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 9 {{{pos}}}  PUR Luis "Feñito" Rodríguez 4 {{{pos}}}  PUR Víctor "Vitito" Rivera 3 {{{pos}}}  PUR 7 {{{pos}}}  CUB 5 {{{pos}}}  PUR Víctor "Chiqui" Bird

No. Pos. Nation Player 6 {{{pos}}}  PUR Gregory Berrios 11 {{{pos}}}  PUR 12 {{{pos}}}  PUR 14 {{{pos}}}  PUR 10 {{{pos}}}  PUR 2 {{{pos}}}  PUR

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 7 {{{pos}}}  CUB 5 {{{pos}}}  PUR Víctor "Chiqui" Bird: Final MVP 8 {{{pos}}}  USA

No. Pos. Nation Player 6 {{{pos}}}  PUR Gregory Berrios 11 {{{pos}}}  PUR 12 {{{pos}}}  PUR 2 {{{pos}}}  PUR 10 {{{pos}}}  PUR 13 {{{pos}}}  PUR

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 7 {{{pos}}}  CAN Jason Haldane 5 {{{pos}}}  PUR Víctor "Chiqui" Bird 8 {{{pos}}}  PUR

No. Pos. Nation Player 6 {{{pos}}}  PUR Gregory Berrios 11 {{{pos}}}  PUR 12 {{{pos}}}  PUR 2 {{{pos}}}  PUR — {{{pos}}}  PUR 10 {{{pos}}}  PUR 15 {{{pos}}}  PUR

Coaches[]

Name	Nat	Managerial Tenure
		1998–2000
		2001–2002
		2003–2004
		2005–2007
		2007–2008
		2009–2009
		2009–2011
		2012
		2017–Present

References[]

External links[]

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