Another alternative is that our heroes were pursuing the noble goal of academics everywhere--tenure.
( ( Another alternative ) ( ( is ( that ( ( our heroes ) ( were ( pursuing ( ( ( ( the ( noble goal ) ) ( of ( academics everywhere ) ) ) -- ) tenure ) ) ) ) ) ) . ) )
(ROOT (S (NP (DT Another) (NN alternative)) (VP (VBZ is) (SBAR (IN that) (S (NP (PRP$ our) (NNS heroes)) (VP (VBD were) (VP (VBG pursuing) (NP (NP (NP (DT the) (JJ noble) (NN goal)) (PP (IN of) (NP (NP (NNS academics)) (ADVP (RB everywhere))))) (: --) (NP (NN tenure)))))))) (. .)))
Our heroes aren't going for any academic goals. 
( ( Our heroes ) ( ( ( are n't ) ( going ( for ( any ( academic goals ) ) ) ) ) . ) )
(ROOT (S (NP (PRP$ Our) (NNS heroes)) (VP (VBP are) (RB n't) (VP (VBG going) (PP (IN for) (NP (DT any) (JJ academic) (NNS goals))))) (. .)))