by the 1939 season mumford's football program was so successful that it had begun turning heads even within the local white community; as a sign of the changing times, southern had begun to advertise accommodations for white patrons on its new stadium grounds. when the stadium was completed in 1940, it included a 150-seat section for white patrons. one of the more noteworthy white fans was ellis a. "little fuzzy" brown who, along with his twin brother james ("big fuzzy"), coached istrouma high school into the most successful dynasty in louisiana's highest classification of prep football. likewise, white coaches such as frank broyles and bear bryant were known to have visited mumford during his coaching career to discuss football strategy. mumford's 1948 team also further bridged the racial gap by participating in the first game between an hbcu and a predominantly white institution, at the fruit bowl; southern defeated san francisco state 30–0, and finished the year at 12–0—a single-season won–loss record that has yet to be surpassed by any hbcu team.