Naranjito Changos

The Naranjito Changos are a professional volleyball team based in Naranjito, Puerto Rico. The team is the most successful franchises in Puerto Rico in all sports. They are currently playing the 2008 Season until October.

The team colors are: orange, white and black.

Their chairman is Angel L. Colón. [

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url=http://www.puertorico-herald.org/issues2/2005/vol09n21/PRSportsBeat0921-en.html
title=PUERTO RICO HERALD: Men's Summer Volleyball League In Top Shape
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accessdate=2008-08-16
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Club History

The history of the volleyball in Naranjito goes back to the year of 1915.

In 1911 arrived at Naranjito the Reverend Howard T. Jason to try to initiate and to raise to the Presbyterian Church finding great opposition in the town. In 1915 they arrived at Naranjito two North American professors Mr. Ebaugh and Mr. Foster who brought the sport of the volleyball to Naranjito. It is here that the Reverend Jason takes advantage of to approach to share with youth being helped to teach the rules of the game of the volleyball and looking the form that is not rejected, so it made friendship with the professors and the young people.

The Reverend Jason was in Naranjito until 1920 in where he went to the neighboring town of Corozal. Having a good knowledge of the sport he help the youth of Corozal and teach the volleyball rules to them. When he had the opportunity the reverend Jason brought to Naranjito, equipment of volleyball of Corozal to compete. That is one of the reasons to know because of the the rivalry in the sport between the towns of Naranjito and Corozal.

In 1938 Naranjito enter to the the Superior Volleyball. Naranjito arose officially like equipment in the 1940. For that moment, Naranjito played under the North and South Association. Under that Association, Naranjito had gained 5 championships.

In 1958 beginning the Federation of Volleyball of Puerto Rico and the equipment of Naranjito registered like participant.

Club Record

Since 2004, Los Changos have the Guinness World Record in volleyball about the Most Championships in the world with 23 between 1958 and 2007.

The team has the expectations of a near future obtain the Guinness World Record about the Most Championship in the world in all sport.

Club Results

The awesome record of the Changos include in 48 seasons: 23 championships, 10 runner-ups, 42 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 obtained 23 finals, 18 championships and 5 runner-ups.

Championship

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,

Final Series

1958, 1959.1960, 1967,1968,1969, 1970, 1971,1972 (final no finished), 1978, 1979, 1984,1985, 1986, 1987, 1988,1989,1990,1991,1992,1993,1995,1996,1997,1998,1999,2000,2001,2002,2003,2004,2005,2006,2007,

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,

In 1974 the league does not celebrate the tournament.

Individual awards

LVSM Most Valuable Player
* Luis "Feñito" Rodríguez – 1999
* Enrique "Papolito" Lopez – 1991, 1993
* Hiram Padilla – 1992
* Jose L. Diaz – 1990
* Joey Rivera – 1985, 1986

LVSM Rookie of the Year
* Víctor "Vitito" Rivera – 1994
*Omar Rivera – 2007

LVSM Best Setter
* Esteban Rodriguez – 1999
* Enrique "Papolito" Lopez – 1992

LVSM Best Blocker
* Hiram Padilla – 1991, 1989
* Willie de Jesus – 1990, 1994

LVSM Defensive Player of the Year
* Edwin Fernandez – 1986, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991

LVSM Final Most Valuable Player
* Víctor "Vitito" Rivera – 1997, 2001, 2003, 2006
* Angel Pérez – 2005
* Victor "Chiqui" Bird – 2004
* Jose L. Diaz – 1998

Executive of the Year
*Angel L. Colón – 2005

Coliseum

The team always plays their home games at the Coliseum Gelito Ortega of Naranjito, which is located about 20 minutes from the Capital San Juan. The Coliseum has a capacity for 3,000 spectators.

Naranjito have the new Coliseum under construction and will have a capacity for 8,000 spectators. The construction of the new coliseum are supposed to be finish for the next year 2009.

2008 Team

Past Team

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

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

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

2004 LVSM Division 1 Season

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

Coaches

References

External links

* [http://www.changospr.com/ Official site] (Spanish)
* [http://www.myspace.com/changosdenaranjito MySpace]
* [http://www.facebook.com/ Facebook]
* [http://www.fpvoleibol.com/ Puerto Rico League Official Site]