Thomas to disclose future plans today By Rick Freeman Daily Sports Editor Although Anthony Thomas and his mother Helen Gilbert won't tip their hand, a number of small signs seem to suggest that Thomas, Michigan's bruising tailback, will return for his senior season. Gilbert, though, denies that she knows this is a done deal, as a Detroit newspaper reported on Saturday. "I told (the paper), I myself would like for him to stay for his final year," Gilbert said from her Winnfield, La. home yesterday. Gilbert said the final decision is Thomas' and Thomas' alone to make, and declined to say what that decision would be. She just hopes he'll stay to get his degree from the Division of Kinesiology. Thomas, who was Michigan's leading rusher this season with 1,297 yards and also scored 17 touchdowns, has scheduled an 11 a.m. press conference at Crisler Arena today. That the press conference is at Crisler could in itself be a sign that he may stay, because Michigan is not in the habit of encouraging athletes to leave school early. Or it could mean very little, just as Thomas' appearance in an early-morning class last week may or may not have meant anything either. Either way, Thomas, who didn't return phone calls from The Michigan Daily, has made up his mind. He also has his mother's support, no matter if he chooses to play on Saturdays or Sundays next season. "Whatever decision he makes, I will stand by him, because he's my son and I love him," Gilbert said. LOUIS BROWN/Daily Michigan running back Anthony Thomas will announce today whether he will skip his senior season and declare himself eligible for the NFL draft. Originally on page 3B in the 1-10-2000 issue of the Daily.