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.
Full name | Changos de Naranjito | ||
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Founded | 1958 | ||
Ground | Coliseum Gelito Ortega, Naranjito, Puerto Rico | ||
Chairman | Alexis Aponte | ||
League | LVSM | ||
Website | permanent dead link] Club home page | ||
Uniforms | |||
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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 23 between 1958 and 2015.
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
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
LVSM Most Valuable Player
- 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
- Esteban Rodríguez – 1999
- Enrique "Papolito" López – 1992
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
- 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
2012-2013 TEAM
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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2010-2011 TEAM
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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2009-2010 TEAM
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Coaches
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.