The family that plays together stays together … and sometimes, even wins money! In the case of the Hlas family of Copley, Ohio, all graduates of The University of Akron, competing on “Family Feud” was a once-in-a-lifetime bonding experience.
Marketing themselves as the fun, lovable family from Northeast Ohio with children who never want to move out, the family team included sons Matthew Hlas, due to graduate in 2020 in chemical engineering; and Joey Hlas ’17, electrical engineering technology; daughters Breanna Hlas ’17, biomedical engineering; Shana Hlas ’17, marketing and sales management; and Joe Hlas ’85, father, electronic engineering technology.
The family members auditioned back in October 2017 at Kalahari Resort in Sandusky after submitting an application and fun audition tape. They participated in a mock round against other families and did so well that they were invited to complete the interview round.
After their tryout, they were told to wait for a postcard in the mail and if they received that, they would be in the active file to be called. A few weeks later, they received an e-mail with a list of dates to choose from, and on March 9 they got a phone call from the show with details on the date to fly out to Los Angeles for the taping.
The Hlas family will make its on-air debut Oct. 17 at 3 p.m. on WOIO Cleveland 19. The contestants aren’t giving any hints as to their success, but if they win, they will also appear on the Oct. 18 episode.
Media contact: Cristine Boyd, 330-972-6476 or cboyd@uakron.edu.