Update 7:40 a.m.: Since the publication of this post early Tuesday morning, Clifford has deleted the tweet referenced in the story below. He replaced it with a tweet (immediately below) that asks Penn Staters to share their favorite memories of the Skeller, but does not ask them to sign the petition to save the bar.

Was the Skeller part of your @penn_state experience? @pennstatealums With the announced closing of the Skeller share your favorite memory.
Celebrate a big win?
Fall in love?
Hear that one band?
Gather with friends?

— Paul J. Clifford (@Paul4PennState) December 5, 2017

Original story: Thousands of Penn Staters were up in arms Monday night after owners of The All-American Rathskeller and Spats Café announced they would be forced to close the establishments — including Paul Clifford, the CEO of the Penn State Alumni Association.

Although he’s not a Penn State alumnus himself, Clifford clearly recognizes the importance of the Skeller and all that it stands for in the hearts of Penn State students and alumni for the past 84 years. By our estimates using Penn State’s historical enrollment numbers, more than 500,000 Penn Staters have had the opportunity to drink a beer at the Skeller during their time as students.

https://twitter.com/PJC4PennState/status/937898675338141697

Clifford tweeted out a Change.org petition created by Onward State alumnus Dave Cole late Monday night, asking alumni to sign the petition and share their favorite memories from the legendary Prohibition-Era bar. You can sign the petition here.

Owners of the Skeller announced its impending closure late Monday afternoon due to the owners of the building, the Herlochers, not renewing their lease. The Herlochers released a statement Monday night on their Dipping Mustard Facebook page, saying, “The new tenants will be the latest in a long line of owners who have maintained the proud tradition of good times and good friends meeting in this downtown State College landmark.”

It’s not yet clear exactly what that means for the fate of the Skeller location. The Herlochers did not immediately respond to a request for further comment.