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.

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

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
 * 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, “ 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

2008 LVSM Division 1 season
This season was dedicated by the team for a local team-association "Los Batatas".

2007 LVSM Division 1 season
This season was dedicated by the team for the Modesto Nieves Family.

2006 LVSM Division 1 season
This season was dedicated by the team for the boxer Félix "Tito" Trinidad.

2005 LVSM Division 1 season
This season was dedicated by the team in the memory of Roberto Walker Clemente.

2003 LVSM Division 1 season
This season was dedicated by the team in the memory of Maralisa Colón Berríos.