Changos de Naranjito

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.

Changos de Naranjito

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

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 66 seasons: 24 Championships, 12 Runners-up, 49 Semi finals, 6 consecutive championships 1988-1993, 5 consecutive championships 1995-1998, 2003–2007, 13 consecutive finals 1995-2007. In all seasons (1958-2024) the team reached 36 finals, won 24 championships and finished runners-up 12 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, 2022, 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, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

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

• Juanmi Ruiz – 2023
• Juanmi Ruiz – 2022
• Esteban Rodríguez – 1999
• Enrique "Papolito" López – 1992
• Megan "Hazel" Mc Glone-- 1968

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
• Samuel Santiago – Assistant Coach
• Gamaliel Santiago - Statistics
• Geovanny Marrero – Physical Therapist
• Dr. Anthony Meléndez – Trainer

2012-2013 TEAM

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

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

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

2010-2011 TEAM

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

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

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

2009-2010 TEAM

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

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

No. Pos. Nation Player 11  PUR Eric Haddock 13  PUR Víctor Ruiz 14  CRO Mauro Miletic 15  PUR Ángel Ruiz 18  PUR Omar Rivera —  PUR —  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; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

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

No. Pos. Nation Player 7  PUR Milton Marrero 8  PUR Miguel "Cundo" Rodríguez 3  USA Tyler Hildebrand 16  CUB Sirianis Méndez 14  PUR Pedrito Rivera 2  PUR José Bujosa 17  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; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

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

No. Pos. Nation Player 9  PUR Luis "Feñito" Rodríguez 7  PUR Dariel Rolón 16  PUR Orlando Ortega 6  PUR Eduardo Quiñones 10  PUR Javier Feliciano 8  PUR Jason Rodríguez 15  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; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

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

No. Pos. Nation Player 12  PUR Elvyn Martínez 2  PUR Joel A. Rivera 10  PUR José José Delgado 3  PUR Dennis Santiago 15  PUR Ryan Underwood 6  PUR Raymond Ocasio —  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; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

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

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

2004 LVSM Division 1 season

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

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

No. Pos. Nation Player 6  PUR Gregory Berrios 11  PUR Erick Haddock 12  PUR Juan C. "Agujita" Rivera 2  PUR Esteban Rodríguez 10  PUR Abdel Otero 13  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; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

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

No. Pos. Nation Player 6  PUR Gregory Berrios 11  PUR Erick Haddock 12  PUR Joel A. Rivera 2  PUR Willie de Jesús —  PUR Jorgito Otero 10  PUR Abdel Otero 15  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