Dominic Rivera is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Peoria High School for AZPreps365.com.

Mr. ORNG. That is superfan Patrick Batillo’s self-proclaimed nickname-and the color of his hair. “It is more than just basketball,” said Batillo, Peoria basketball coach.

Batillo is one of the NBA’s more notorious superfans. After moving to Arizona when he was 7, Batillo found his love for the Suns, the only professional sports team in Arizona at the time.

As Batillo attended more Suns games growing up, he noticed a lack of energy and quickly became frustrated when fans asked him to sit down and be quiet when he cheered. He noticed fans at the games were reading books, knitting, and otherwise not paying attention. It was then he decided to take matters into his own hands.

In 2010, Batillo traveled to San Antonio to see the Suns face-off against the Spurs in the playoffs. He was sitting courtside at the game and noticed right behind the owner, Robert Sarver. That resulted in Batillo shown on ESPN multiple times throughout the game as his hair was painted orange and he was wearing a Suns shirt.

After he was recognized by many of his friends on TV, Batillo decided in the off-season to put the brand together to get the fan energy back up. “I wanted to do something big with it and more than just basketball,” he said. “I trademarked it, made it to where everything was orange, and made it nicer looking.”

The creation of Mr. ORNG has not only given a new meaning to the word “superfan” but has also given Batillo a chance to give back to the community.

“Schools reach out, retirement communities, homeless shelters, I mean it is just endless the things I do in the community,” said Batillo. “I have never charged for any appearances; I’ll go to anything I can within my schedule. Community events with the news, anything that can just get the word out and just bring awareness.”

As another way to give back, each year Batillo buys then gives away about 100 to 200 tickets over the course of the season to both those who have never been to a game and those who cannot afford it.

“He is an individual who truly cares about the well being of others and loves what he does,” said Peoria assistant coach, Ant Jacobs.

His love extends beyond just the Suns and their community, but to his players as well. He became the interim at Peoria High School boys’ Dec. 16, 2019, after three seasons as an assistant coach.

Batillo prides himself on being more than just a basketball coach to his players, but someone who his players can feel free to talk to. His players have his phone number and know he is open to talk about anything whether it be personal, a certain class, or life.

“He supports and follows every program at the school and is very supportive of our multi-sport athletes,” said Jason Golden, Peoria freshman basketball coach. “He cares about the players grades, families and their future as men.”

To Batillo, being Mr. ORNG and a head coach gives him the ability to positively affect peoples’ lives. For him, it is more than just basketball.