In 2017, a Hamilton Spectator reporter, Steve Buist, who specializes in investigative journalism authored the 4-part series on concussion and football – Collision Course. This feature was based on a unique collaboration between McMaster University and Hamilton Spectator. Dr. John Connolly (the director of ARiEAL) and Dr. Mike Noseworthy (ARiEAL member) together with Dr. Luciano Minuzzi, all play a leading role in this ground-breaking research project, along with their graduate students, Rober Boshra, Kyle Ruiter and Mitch Doughty. The research team conducted a series of sophisticated brain imaging experiments and electroencephalogram (EEG) testing on nearly two dozen retired Canadian Football League players to investigate the long-term impacts of concussion. The results are shocking as in some cases what the researchers found from some former players were no different than those that would be seen in coma patients. Brain images from some of the retired players in their 50s looked like the images of men in their 80s.

On May 4, 2018, this groundbreaking piece has won Steve Buist another National Newspaper Award; this time, in Investigative Journalism in the Sports category. The National Newspaper Awards are the most prestigious awards for the journalists in Canada. Congratulations to Steve Buist!