The Western Canadian Intercollegiate Athletic Union (WCIAU) was formed in 1919-20 as the first recognized western-based post-secondary athletic organization in Canada, though a few schools did play organized varsity sports much earlier. The University of Manitoba won the first-ever league championship, a men's hockey title, in 1920. In 1971, the WCIAU was split into the Canada West Universities Athletic Association (CWUAA) and the Great Plains Athletic Association (GPAA), the latter consisting primarily of schools from Manitoba. In 1985-86, Canada West offered playing privileges to men's hockey teams from the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) & other sports have followed, including the 2001-02 merger of basketball. more... See more text